10 charged in Tennessee with meth distribution, conspiracy

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) – Federal prosecutors say 10 people have been charged with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine transported to West Tennessee from Arizona.

The U.S. attorney’s office said Friday that the defendants conspired with each other to sell multiple grams of “ice,” which is meth that has a purity greater than 80 percent.

Nine of the indicted defendants have been arrested. One remains a fugitive.

Prosecutors say more than $146,000 was seized during the investigation, along with 54 firearms and more than 11 pounds of meth.

Prosecutors said the meth was transported from Phoenix, Arizona, to West Tennessee for distribution. The defendants are from Tennessee and Arizona. If convicted on the drug-related charges, they each would face at least 10 years in federal prison.